A Love Story

The best part of my day was listening to my fourth grade mentor teachers discuss their love stories. My teacher, Elizabeth, met her husband at the blossoming age of fourteen. They have been inseparable since. They now have two children, one a senior in high school, the other in middle school. She says hes the best man she has ever known.

But here's the real kicker. The story that made my heart jump and flutter. The story that makes you think fairy tales really can come true....depending on your interpretation of a fairy tale that is....

Lauren's mentor, Nona, had her fair share of failed relationships. She dated the bad, the ugly, and the worse. Sometimes all in one as she will say. After quite some time she took advice from her mother. Her mother began to tell her an interesting story of her own that has stuck with her to this day. When her mother was younger she wrote down everything she wanted in a man...kind, giving, respectful...you get the drift. She placed the list in her Bible and exactly a year later from that date she met Nona's father. Nona thought What the Heck! What do I have to lose? She thus set out to create her very own list of qualities she thought she deserved from a man, actually knew she deserved

On July 16 she placed the list in her Bible and forgot about it. ....Time went by and she continued to work at the vet's office as a receptionist. One day a man walked in, one she described as a "big guy" carrying a kitten. His kitten was treated, he was friendly with her, and went on his way. That night she received a call from the handsome kitten man... at home, somehow he had tracked her home number. He played it off well, stating he had with a question about the cat's medicine. He asked her out on a date and since then, well, the rest is history. They have twin daughters in first grade and a younger daughter as well. .............And do you know the exact date he walked into that clinic...Yes, it was July 16th. A year from the date in which she scribbled down everything she wanted in a man. She said later on she went to the checklist and saw the date. She then went down every item...he got a check for all!

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Needless to say, I have made my list and its tucked tight in my Bible.

Snakes and Lizerds

I made up my mystery absence on Friday. Mrs. Cade told me all the students were wondering where I was. Even students came up to me asking where I was Wednesday and if I felt better....guilt trip or what!!! Now I can never miss again.

Friday was pretty easy. The students had an award assembly in the morning so the day went by fairly quickly. At lunch the tattoo parlor closed...for good. Another parlor started up and the fights began. Bad for business the original parlor said. A fight ensued, thus foreclosure took place. None of them were very happy.

The best part of Friday was as school was letting out. The girls always come up and give me hugs, not the boys though. One boy in particular, the round black boy I wanted to draw a few weeks ago during testing, is very shy and doesnt like to be touched much (Itleast thats what Mrs. Cade says). So in the past I've made sure just to pat him on the back or give encouragement through words. But Friday afternoon as the bell was ringing, he came and hugged me. I got the biggest smile on my face. Thats when you know youre doing something worthwhile!

This weekend was very relaxed. Saturday I didnt get out of pajamas till 5...it was great. Actually I can say the same for today...its 4 p.m. and I am in pajamas. LAZY!!!

These are pictures some of the girls have drawn for me. I especially like the t-shirt drawing. Lizerds....how cute is that!! Those drawings make my day :)

A Shady Tree To Learn Under

My morning did not begin well. The alarm clock did not bang, it did not ring, it didn't even whisper a soothing melody. My eyes opened as school began this morning at 7:30 a.m. I was then forced to call in and give an excuse (a.k.a a lie) for not being able to go. Mine was a sore throat and congestion. That'll do right? I have NEVER missed an observation day in my life. Of course it happens with the teacher I love the most! I plan to make up Friday....my day to sleep in. Whoever invited alarms is stupid in my opinion. All it has done is create havoc. What happened to the days when we were simply woken up by God's sunlight and began our day then???

I can't say much took place today. Ran a couple errands, went to the gym, worked on a little project I have due in a couple weeks, walked with Holly, and then read countless pages out of my pointless math book. I'm pretty much screwed tomorrow. I read most of the stuff, not all though. I dont have time to read 6 chapters. I read a good 3, the chapters that we were quizzed on. Although I'm not sure my brain retained much of it. It's all just kind of jambled and scattered in there....floating in wide open space. But a space that causes it to disorient itself and makes that sound when you come to a radio station that doesn't exist...SHHHHHHHHHHH

Tomorrow will undoubtedly be one of the longest days ever. Yes I am being dramatic. Thursdays just really suck. I wish we could learn outside under a shady tree or take a walk, but instead we are stuck in a classroom with few, if any, windows and flourescent lighting. I know how the kiddies feel. And instead of learning of helpful websites, how to read TAKS scores, or creating unique units....we are playing with base ten blocks. Sticks and little cubes. As you can tell, I'm rather bitter about this semester. I'm still waiting for the fun to come.

The Tattoo Parlor

I love my teacher. I dont think I can say it enough. I love my mentor teacher.

She asked me today if I was SURE I wanted to student teach with her. "Of course! 100%" I said! She is so sweet....shes going through a whole process of filling out papers just so I can be in her room. Hopefully that all works out!

I enjoyed school today. It seemed less hectic for some reason. I spent most of the day grading papers and making a giant card for a student who had his appendix out. Art in the classroom...what better what to spend my day?!!

Speaking of art....I've always wanted to paint African American children. Im not quite sure why, I guess I just think their coloring is beautiful. I found this painting on the internet and loved it. The colors, the mood, the girls little afro. It actually reminds me of a young African American student in the fourth grade. Shes not in my class, but I see her everyday. Shes a prissy thing with a very large attitude. Shes the girl that rules the grade level, makes the rules, calls the shots kinda gal. Oh, and shes a twin...so imagine two of those coming at you full force. I had to give her the evil eye last week. She was talking, whispering, and pointing to students in my class just after we had our Fourth Grade Class Meeting on bullying. So, as I said I gave her the eye at lunch. The eye that says "I see what your doing, I don't like it, and Im going to continue to watch you." Since then she stares at me. Anyways...today at recess they set up a tattoo parlor. Yes, a tattoo parlor. The twins apparently came upon some very glittery gel pens and decided to give other girls tattoos, but you had to be on a the list, or put your name on the list and wait in line. So at recess I wandered to their little parlor and requested a silver heart on my wrist (My teacher had just gotten a pink one on hers). My name was put down and with time one of the twins gave me my tattoo. Very quickly though, but I think its because she doesnt like me...still. Being the artist I am and always having to play with media, I grabbed on of the pens and gave another little girl a butterfly tattoo on the top of her hand. I wished you could have seen the face I got. It said "I knoooow you didnt jus take my pen gurl....what you think you doing with that....you best be putting that back in here soon." The whistle was blown shortly after and she gathered her materials very quickly.

After school Holly and I went for a quick walk/run. It felt great. The weather today was perfect- warm, sunny, and a cool breeze. We go back into the neighborhood off Munsen. There is not as much traffic and the neighborhood is quite charming.

Of course I got nothing school related done this afternoon/evening. Which, in turn, means it will all have to be done tomorrow....yuck! I have senoritis right now. I've been in school for 16 years. SIXTEEN YEARS. I think letting myself slack off just a bit for one semester is deserved right? Mom is shaking her head...I know. I've gotten this far-Why give up now? I need motivation...How do i get that though? I dont really have anything to excite me. No work that challenges me. Maybe I should paint....will that motivate me? Probably not in regards to school.

Kooks Cancelled...

The Kooks cancelled friday night. Drew came all the way here to go to the concert in Houston, it was his birthday gift from me. Literally...Drew and I have the car packed, are turning off all the lights, checking the air and stove...then Amber calls. Five mintues before we are about to walk out the door....The Kooks just cancelled. A band member is sick. DANGIT! The only good thing that came out of that was the fact that we had not left yet.

Thus, I was required to try and find something somewhat entertaining for my brother to do. Friday night we ate at Wings N More and as always.... I went beyond needed consumption. He spent the evening with friends and I did as well. Yesterday we vegged ALL day. Although, we did go to Gander Mountain....which isnt near as bad as I thought it would be. We had dinner at C&J's BBQ....it was delicious! After, Drew, Holly, Corbin and I came back and hung out for a bit before heading to a friends house. We stayed there for the rest of the evening and then went and had Canes chicken strips and fries at 1 am. Nothing sounds better at 1 am then a basket of yummy french fries!

Drew just left actually....the weekend went by realllllly fast. Im sure he would have enjoyed himself more if he got to go to the concert. We were both looking forward to it. Oh well... It was just nice to get to spend some time together.

Tomorrow another busy week begins. I have more assignments then last week. Projects and tests for the most part....tests that I am WAY behind in reading for! I need some motivation at this point...Im lagging...lagging reallll bad.

Oh and the chicken hat...Holly came by with it. She got it at target for Ava, her cat. Can't you tell how much Molly loved this! Just by watching her facial expressions I know she was thinking some pretty hateful things at that moment. Shes no chicken!!!

Dont Stop Dont Change Stay Beautiful

Today was LONG. I'd much rather be in my 4th grade classroom standing for hours. I signed up to attend the education career fair on October 20th...something I'm very nervous about. Most of them won't even be looking for a graduate of May, instead students who graduate in December, but our professors think it's a good idea to get your "face" out there.

Molly is very very very tired. Although, she did leave the bed today to sunbathe. She said she really enjoyed that. It was just the right mix of light and heat. It made her silky furr glow. Right now she is laying on her shoes.

Tomorrow Drew arrives and we will head to the big city of Houston. We are going to see The Kooks, a british pop band. The concert is at the Meridian, which Amber assumes will be somewhat small since its a hotel we believe. I'm okay with that. I doubt REAL small, but nothing HUGE. We are staying the night at her boyfriend, Greg's place. I can't wait. It should be an enjoyable event!

I heard a song today in the car "stay beautiful." The lyrics kinda just stayed with me. "Dont stop, dont change, stay beautiful." Maybe that's my new motto. ....

4th Grader Mini-Dramas

Boy Fourth Graders sure are interesting specimens. Today at Bowen Elementary was quite something. Lets see where to start ???

All of the fourth grade had a meeting today. That made 3 teachers, 2 method students, and 60-70 fourth graders. There was a LONG list we all had to go over. Not really we, the teachers. But Lauren and I have noticed the behavior and have our eyes and ears open. It was simple things like not listening, dont touch your friends food, no food fights, treat each other with respect, and no name calling. The big one, the one that surprised me: No fighting. Apparently two boys had scheduled , yes scheduled, a fight today at recess. One boy stole the other boys girlfriend. Drama already and they are only 10! One student over heard and told the teacher. Needless to say, there was no fight. I dont think it will be the last scheduled fight though. All of these kids are so into their mini-dramas. All they talk about is this persons boyfriend or how they pulled a girls number. I dont remember being like that. All I can really remember was liking boys in fourth grade (or every grade for that matter "wink wink" ) and wishing Amanda would let me play soccer - she always told me they didnt have room for me. See ... that rotten thing started out mean.

My second interesting story has to do with a boy in Lauren's class. Since we started this observation he has been nothing but trouble. Bringing air horns to school, which is against the law. Stealing things off the teacher's desk, threatening and pushing other students, including the teachers kindergarten twin daughters. He told them he was going to hurt them. How stupid can this kid be? Espeically to do it to a teacher's child...... Yesterday he was required to sit in ISS - In School Suspension. His mother is no help either. Last week when he got into trouble for the air horn- she brought him Schlotzskis for lunch. What a punishment!!! ..........Apparently, he didnt learn his lesson though. Today he was all over the place. Humping the bookshelves (yes, humping), asking Lauren if she is Mexican (shes not, nor does she look like it), and discussing sex topics with friends under the table. He really went over and beyond when he, and a friend (who just laughed and was purely there to watch) asked Lauren if she (and Im not sure if these are the exact words, but are in the vacinity) if she..."gave it up for her husband." 1. Shes not married and doesnt even wear a ring on that finger. 2. Did he really just ask her if she gave it up? Hes in fourth grade!!

Lauren was going to try an avoid the question. She was just taken aback he asked that. She didn't want him to get into anymore trouble, because the teacher has had to call his mother everyday for the week. When he left Lauren though, he began to laugh about it and tell all his friends. So she told the teacher and he is now in even more trouble. He then claimed he didnt even know what it meant when he asked if she gave it up. Liar. That poor teacher. And Lauren. Can you imagine...in fourth grade already bullying, stealing, and talking about sex. Just imagine high school! It's really sad! And Im sure his mother will do nothing. She already thinks the ISS for the air horn and threats was too harsh. (And if you're wondering...she's a single parent, he's never met his father, and has an older brother which im sure is real "cool" - but still those aren't good enough reasons for his behavior)

So that what all very interesting. Fourth graders these days are much more ahead in the relationship/sex world that I EVER expected. Geezzz....Needless to say I am exhausted. I never really realized how long a teacher's job is. You're not done at 3:30 .... Nope. You work hours after that and into the weekend. Every one of the fourth grade teachers, so far this semester, has been at the elementary school every Saturday almost all day since school started. YUCK. I was not real pleased to hear this.

Anyways....on campus tomorrow and then a girl's night with Amber and maybe Laura. That is the only part of tomorrow I am excited for! And knowing that I dont have school Friday of course! :)